Amelie G by Britney Penouilh

style magazine

SPRING 2012

The AMERICANA Issue

Spring killer looks: a fatal attraction by fashion photographer Ana Coello

KICKSTARTER: A Funding Platform new orleans philanthropy: muses 5 cities, 5 art destinations New York, Aspen, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Vancouver

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exhibitionS Opening April 19 Shifting: Photographs by Michel Varisco Alexa Kleinbard: Remedies Mark Messersmith Photographs by Nell Campbell, Colleen Mullins, Woody Woodroof Sally Chandler: The Lost World How to Build a Forest (Multi-media installation) - April 14 - 22

Special eventS O-Mazing Race New Orleans Ultimate Scavenger Hunt - April 1 Sippin’ in Seersucker The Summer’s Sartorial Soirée - May 18 Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

A Virtuoso accredited travel professional offers the knowledge, experience and connections you expect from any of your trusted advisors. Put us to the test. We’ll make your next travel experience the perfect fit.

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THE OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART university of new orleans 925 Camp St. • New Orleans, LA • 504.539.9600 • ogdenmuseum.org

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style magazine

FASHION + F EAT U R ES

BEAUTY

FASHION

STRUCTURE

CELEBRITY MAKEUP ARTIST: BRANDY GOMEZ-DUPLESSIS

SPRING DREAMS

AMMAR ELOUEINI: THE J-HOUSE

24 SHOPPING STYLE EMPORIUM: CANOE + HAVEN

28 SOCIETY KICKSTARTER 34 SPOTLIGHT THE OCCASIONAL WIFE 46 FASHION JE SUIS UNE FEMME FATALE 58 art America presents: Life

photo essay by m.l. benson

A M E LI E G M AG A Z I N E

SPRING

Style magazine

C h i e f E x e c u t i ve O f f i c e r & e d i tor- i n - c h i e f F e at u r e s D i r e cto r

EDMUND KEE edmund@ameliegmag.com MARYNELL NOLAN-WHEATLEY

C O P Y EDI T O R

LIANNA PATCH

f e at u r e s coo r d i n ator

OTYLIA FINLEY

ART DIRE C T O R & G r a p h i c d e s i g n e r Sty le d i r e cto r S T Y LIS T S

C o n t r i b u t i n g p h otog r ap h e r s

Contributing writers

co n t r i b u t i n g ar t i s t s VI C E P RESIDEN T s a le s a n d ma r ke t i n g M a r k e t i n g M an ag e r S O C IAL MEDIA MANAG ER Website A dve r t i s i n g I n q u i r i e s S ubmi ssi ons & Subscri pti on In q u ir ies

BRITNEY PENOUILH KATIE DUMESTRE NICOLE CHANDLER, JUNIOR QUEIROS, GORDAN BANH ROBBY KLEIN, ANDREW ALWERT, ANA COELLO, JANA CRUDER, BROOKE CAILLOUETTE, EMMA BATIA ARNOLD, BEEBE TRAN, NICOLE GROTE, JESLYN CASH, RHIANON JONES, TRISTAN SCOTT, JEFF JOHNSTON, JOHN LINDEN, ADAM REICH, OTYLIA FINLEY, ALICIA CLAIRE, Bert meadows, Chris & Crystal tate LANA HUNT, OTYLIA FINLEY, REBECCA MARSHBURN, CHRISTINA CARR, LIANNA PATCH, CRAIG LIBMAN, BANKS FARLEY, CHRISTY LEVESQUE-PERRON, DIANA SIEGEL, ALLIE JORRISCH, katherine dileo, Nicole grote

CMY

ali mills, martin benson CHRISTINA TEARS-DILEO BROOKE CAILLOUETTE ALEXANDRA CHATER www.ameliegmag.com sales@ameliegmag.com 504.410.7657

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Amelie G Style Magazine is published by Paramé, LLC © 2012. All rights reserved. All materials are © 2012 Amelie G, LLC. Reproduction of any part of this publication without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Amelie G Style Magazine is a registered trademark of Paramé, LLC. The use of the trademark is strictly prohibited. Amelie G Style Magazine cannot and will not guarantee content accuracy, nor be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services represented by advertisers or any other portion of this publication.

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SPOTLIGHT

editor’s letter season depicted by nature as a phase to grow and blossom. Through publishing six issues of Amelie G, I have come to appreciate the details, effort and resources that go into the production of each issue. Fortunately, I am surrounded by a team that continues to surprise me time and again with ideas, innovation and dedication to the success of yet another great issue. Above all else, I am grateful for the culture of perseverance within the Amelie G organization despite many challenges. Much of my entrepreneurial inspiration is drawn from the greats: Mario Prada, Conrad Hilton and Condé Montrose Nast. Each saw their fair number of challenges and failures. Failure, contrary to the cliché, is always an option. However, it’s how you respond to failure that truly defines you. This issue’s inspiration is driven by the true character of America: a spirit of determination and exploration. We all have big dreams, but for many, the issue lies in financial funding. Those who press on and think creatively, though, will find that each challenge presents an equal opportunity to succeed. Take Kickstarter.com, for example. Founders Perry Chen, Yancey Strickler and Charles Adler developed a funding platform that has helped diverse young entrepreneurs and creative thinkers, like Noelle Sharp of APORTA Hand-Woven Knit Accessories in Chicago, Kristy Lin of Surrealist Fine Jewelry in New York City, and Sue Davis of Counter Culture Vegan Restaurant of Austin, Texas, reach their startup funding goals. This same creative thinking is found in New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewe of Muses. Beyond their glittery parades and famous Muses shoes, the ladies of Muses are active in philanthropy, raising funds to send numerous young women battling breast cancer to the Young Survival Coalition’s annual conference. Photograph by Robby Klein

his past winter has been a whirlwind of events in my life. Along with my own wedding, I have attended six funerals in the past month. These funerals emphasized the dreary feel of winter’s gloom, and as I sat on the pew, I could not help but think about the effects of a person’s death on the people closest to the deceased. Sorrow, apathy, joy, and even motivation: each feeling is real and can be spurred by the death of a close friend or love. Every action has a reaction, says Newton. However, unlike objects subject to the Third Law, humans have a choice. You can let death affect you negatively, or choose to overcome your own challenges. I saw a close friend who became determined to love more and give more because of the death of his cousin; another friend decided to move home after the death of her mother, abandoning a thriving career in California, so that she could take care of her father. With spring on the horizon, we are moving into a season of life, a 8

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Our Spring issue is Amelie G’s interpretation of the American spirit, style and fashion culture: a celebration of the beauty, romance and struggle for success within the creative talents featured throughout these pages. The issue features fashion editorial work by Los Angeles-based photographer Jana Cruder and stylist Nicole Chandler, a beauty editorial by Barcelona-based photographer Ana Coello and makeup artist Júnior Queirós, and an exploration of the work of New Orleans-based architect Ammar Eloueini. Each of these talented individuals embodies the American drive for creative and professional fulfillment. In life, whether you’re met with success or failure, it is the courage to continue that counts.

Edmund Kee

Photo courtesy of Maison St. Charles

MAISON ST. Charles by Katherine DiLeo

Just a stone’s throw from the busy sights and sounds of downtown lives a tucked-away touch of elegance and charm in Maison St. Charles. The hotel is by no means modest: it boasts 130 rooms, 3 scenic patios overlooking the romance of St. Charles Avenue, and a 2,000 square-foot banquet room, perfect for wedding receptions and special events. This Garden District gem places an emphasis on New Orleans heritage and history, and the wrought iron and exposed brick of the enclosed courtyard will transport you to a time when life moved a bit slower. Add a large pool and hot tub into the mix, and it becomes apparent that the Maison St. Charles is not just another hotel, or another great space for a wedding. In its marriage of local tradition and modern comfort, this hotel is wholly unique. Maison St. Charles is happy to help you take a step away from our fast-paced world, reminding you of the refined elegance of a New Orleans past. WWW.A M E LI EG M AG .C O M 9

WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG?

CELEBRITY MAKEUP ARTIST BRANDY GOMEZ-DUPLESSIS by otylia FINLEY

Professional makeup artist Brandy GomezDuplessis got her first big break when she was chosen to be the personal makeup artist for news anchor Michelle Miller with the Early Show on CBS News. It only took a short few years until Brandy began making her mark in the industry. Today, Brandy is a L’OREAL Cosmetics Pro Makeup Artist and has worked with the likes of Golden Globe and Academy Award winner Melissa Leo, Kerry Washington, Kim Kardashian, Angela Bassett, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Jordin Sparks, Reggie Bush, Chris Paul, Usher, and the list goes on and on. Brandy has also worked on the Golden Globes, the Super Bowl, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and Sundance Film Festival, establishing quite the high fashion résumé. I managed to catch up with Brandy between the crazy jet-setting events of fashion week season to answer a few questions just for Amelie G! I have the feeling that we will be seeing much more from Brandy in the future, as she proved to be one beauty-driven professional. 1.) Describe where your passion for the art of makeup began. What are some of your earliest memories of loving the craft? Since I was a little girl, I have always admired anything beautiful. Makeup, hair, fashion, and anything luxurious has always caught my eye. In my teen years, I would sketch and draw, not really knowing that this was the start of my career. The blueprint to being a widely known makeup artist in the industry is practice, practice, practice, and hustle, hustle, hustle. Learn the artistry and what type of makeup artist you want to be.

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Photography by Beebe Tran

them? Also, who have you yet to work with, celebrity or publication, that you’ve set your sights on? I know, right? I have been a busy girl and still feel like I haven’t done enough on some days. I enjoyed working on VOGUE TV for Sperry Top-Sider. The reason why I enjoyed that assignment was because I have always wanted to see my name attached to anything VOGUE and/or Anna Wintour. Also, I needed to show that I can do soft natural makeup, and not just bold and colorful. So I nailed it and was very proud of myself. I would like to do more with VOGUE, and if my brushes could touch Janet Jackson’s or Victoria Beckham’s face, I would be astounded.

2.) You call New Orleans a second home to NYC. What does the city mean to you and your career as an artist? How has the city inspired you? When do you make time for a visit?

4.) Describe your perfect everyday makeup look. What kinds of products are you using with clients on an everyday basis?

Yes, New Orleans will always be home; it’s my second home as long as I still have my home there. At the moment I live in Connecticut, 23 minutes away from New York. I travel back for work whenever clients fly me to New Orleans. The city will always have a special place in my heart. New Orleans is where I crafted my skills as a professional industry makeup artist.

My husband always jokes with me that I love doing eyes: sexy smoky eyes followed by a nude or pink lip. Must-have items that I have in my makeup kit are: L’OREAL Paris Studio Secrets Professional HIP Cream Eyeliner, strip/individual lashes, Victoria’s Secret soft pink lip gloss, and L’OREAL Paris Voluminous Mascara.

3.) You have contributed to numerous fashion publications, as well as worked with an extensive list of celebrity clients. Any favorites among

5.) What’s the biggest misconception when it comes to our makeup? Where do you see women make the most mistakes

in their everyday makeup choices? My biggest challenge with the everyday woman when it comes to makeup is: When applying mascara, women never put mascara at the top of their lashes. They brush underneath only. When applying mascara this way, you’re not getting flirty, long, full lashes. A second mistake women make is that after applying lip gloss, women rub their lips together, removing the gloss and losing the true pigment color. 6.) What's your favorite feature? How do you choose to play it up the most? My favorite feature is definitely the eyes. I love dark eye shadows and long flirty lashes. 7.) What trends can we expect to see this spring for an exciting punch? Something for the makeup risk-taker to try: lips, eyes, color palettes? This spring, color is coming back with fashion, especially greens and purples. And the trend of multi-nail colors and multi-makeup, along with color-blocking. Anything goes! Bright, colorful, yummy shades will look amazing on eyes, lips, and cheeks. Take chances using colors. Come up with a signature look from a “pink lady” or a “cherry bomb” lip. 8.) Describe your everyday tote and the

products you keep by your side to keep you looking and feeling your best. What do you always have with you on the go? Have you seen my extra-large faux fur weekender bag? I have my entire bathroom and my walk-in closet in my bag…no, seriously, my bag is about 15lbs. Mostly of makeup: my bling compact, L’OREAL Paris Youth Code Serum and Elnett Satin hairspray, Swarovski crystal lipstick tube/ case, Dolce & Gabbana perfume, Essie silver glitter nail polish, NUFACE device, Clarisonic brush, Carol’s Daughter SugarDipped Vanilla Body Cream, L’OREAL Paris makeup remover, and so much more. 9.) What’s the one product you couldn’t live without? Your saving grace? HAIR…HAIR…and more HAIR! 10.) What upcoming projects do you have on your very busy radar? What are you looking forward to this spring? New York Fashion Week was very busy, and will be followed by a photoshoot for a swimwear designer’s lookbook that she will feature at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Miami in July. I have another photoshoot with a talented photographer who actually shoots in New Orleans. Then, at the end the month, I have NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando, Florida, where I have proudly held the Official Makeup Artist WWW.A M E LI EG M AG .C O M 11

brown bag style: womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

SHOPPING

by lana hunt

get the hottest trends without breaking the bank! score these looks from some of our favorite online shopping sites.

by Lana Hunt

$36 $48

$30

$15 Wish you may sweater // spool72.com hat // target.com Booties // target.com getting ziggy with it shorts // lulus.com

essie polish: creme dE menthE // essie.com

$52 $35 $27

chevron dress // spool72.com

$35

essie polish: knockout pout // essie.com belt // asos.com

bag // asos.com wedge boot // target.com

ESPLANADE AVE - NEW ORLEANS - 504 - 944- 2256

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SOCIETY

Spring Dreams PHOTOGRAPHY JANa CRUDER

Haute Chocolate structured pink bow tie back top, pink pant; D&Y multi-colored cheetah print scarf; Paparazzi rosegold spike rhinestone hoops; Melinda Marie rosegold infinity pod mega bangle; Charles Albert large rectangular brown stone gold ring; Jessica Grant yellow ostrich clutch; Luichiny beige suede wedge heels with flat bow heel

Giambattista Valli ivory wool crepe capelet and dress, $3875; Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour. Makeup: Viva Glam Lip Colour, $14.50, Angel Flame X4 Eyeshadow, $36, Sakura Minerals Blush, $23, Mineralized Satin Finish Foundation with SPF 15, $30, Zoom Lash Mascara, $16. All cosmetics MAC. Hair â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Oribe Dry Texture Spray, $39; Oribe.com

Emporio Armani leather tank, $795 & beaded neck piece, 375; Emporio Armani. Sakura fur mineralized blush, black gunmetal Vintage collar; Paparazzi $23; MAC rhinestone spikeCosmetics. hoops; Melinda Maria galaxy wrap gunmetal ring and bracelet; Aiisha green studded shoulder dress; Jeffrey Campbell benched black and cream wedge; Johnny Swain lily-white-on-lagoon rectangle clutch

Rekay Designs pearl necklace with crystals; Feri silver wrap bracelet; Jessica Grant pink and purple Suzette alligator purse; Walter Steiger hot pink peep-toe silver heel pump; Pixiemarket.com Dress Monster hot pink high-waisted skirt; Cult Candy pink floral top

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Feri Silver jewel-encrusted drop necklace; Melinda Maria Emma cluster gunmetal earring; Charles Albert large purple silver ring; Haute Chocolate blue dress with bow open-tie back

Haute Chocolate blue dress with bow open-tie back; Margaret Oleary cream cardigan with gold ribbing; Pixiemarket.com Gemma Lister blue stone collar; Walter Steiger multi-colored pump; Vintage purple gloves

Marni jeweled wool top, $1250; Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour. Styling – Katie Dumestre, New Orleans. Makeup & Hair – Davide Calcinai using MAC @ Artist by Timothy Priano. Stylist assistant – Pedro Moutinho. Photo assistant – Ariana Cutler. Catering – Michael Trentacosta. Special thanks to Carlos Araujo of Armani and Allison Goldberg of Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour. Model Sarah C @ Ford Models.

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this page: Feri silver jewel encrusted necklace; Skinny blue square ring; Margaret Oleary green cardigan; Christina Makowsky black dress with jewel-encrusted at waist; Luichiny black peep-toe bow front pumps opposite: Luichiny cobalt blue pumps; Ami blue stone earrings; Skinny blue enamel ring; Line & Dot sheer grey and yellow top; Haute Chocolate yellow button-up dress; Johnny Swain lilly-white-on-lagoon square clutch

Photographer Jana Cruder Wardrobe Stylist Nicole Chandler Makeup/Hair Gordon Banh Model Virginia Martin of LA Models Coordination Assistant Samantha Zachrich Location Ventura Koa, California

Zac Posen stretch wool blend full skirt dress, $1850; Saks Fifth Avenue. Mascara – Zoom Lash, $15; MAC Cosmetics.

structure

into an attractive, pleasurable destination where one just happens to wash one’s clothes. Born both of imagination and necessity, the J-House was designed to fit on a traditional New Orleans shotgun house lot. Many of New Orleans’ residential areas lie in flood plains; some are liable to be submerged up to nine feet, a problem dramatically illustrated by 2005’s catastrophic Hurricane Katrina floods. Eloueini’s brainchild needed to fit on a traditional 30’x150’ lot, while addressing the reality of flooding that New Orleanians face every hurricane season.

EXPLORING THE J-HOUSE WITH AMMAR ELOUEINI

by Lianna Patch In September 2010, a strange structure began to take shape on Upperline Street in New Orleans. As construction continued, neighbors became curious—and apprehensive—about the red, twisting metal armature. Was it a house? A spacecraft? A futuristic exercise in architectural gymnastics? Two out of three isn’t bad. The unusual edifice was Lebaneseborn architect Ammar Eloueini’s first free-standing building: the J-House. Eloueini, who was in 1996 among the first to attend Columbia University’s paperless design studio program after receiving his DPLG from L’Ecole d’Architecture in Paris, founded Ammar Eloueini Digit-all Studio (AEDS) to continue his work in computer-fabricated design. The studio maintains offices in Paris and New Orleans, so it’s safe to say that Eloueini racks up the frequent flyer miles. The architect’s remarkable (and extensive) portfolio is filled with projects that defy pedestrian approaches to functional design. It is not only his methods that are avant-garde, but his materials. In the past, Eloueini has expressed a fondness for polycarbonate, using this type of thermoplastic polymer alongside zip-ties to create an award-winning store concept for celebrated fashion designer Issey Miyake. His curving, lacelike CoReFab (Concepts + Representation + Fabrication) chair, made of polyamide nylon, has found a home in the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. In Paris in 2008, AEDS created a 22

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functional artwork exhibition in “Le Tramway,” a shimmering silver polycarbonate-sheathed bridge serving as the centerpiece of the Pavillon d’Arsenal. Le Tramway is an homage to Paris’ new public transport system, which augments the existing metro by circling a central boulevard; the massive work is informational as well as impressive, featuring videos about the new Tramway on the bridge’s mirrored insides. And using strips of Corian, an acrylic polymer, Eloueini is in the process of transforming a Parisian laundromat

To solve this problem, Eloueini simply looked up. The J-House’s two rectangular volumes twist 90 degrees as they rise from the home’s front entrance, ending ten feet above the ground. Eloueini’s armature, a prefabricated steel structure, was then plated with steel studs and covered in plywood cadding. The result, during its exposure, looked like a skate punk’s dream come true: a long smooth curve evoking a halfpipe. After the plywood seams were covered with metal tape, experimentation began on the structure’s waterproof coating, applied in two coats. Slowly, the house’s interior began to darken. It remains lit by two giant windows at either end, and by a skylight which Eloueini describes as “cutting the skin of the building” (and poetically, the angular exposed frame revealed by the skylight does resemble vertebrae). Now, the J-House appears as a black ship beached on Upperline; its final skin will be composed of charred cedar planks. Those familiar with classic New Orleans shotgun homes will be incredulous to know that Eloueini has managed to fit in a secondary structure behind the J-House. This is the guest house, a comforting oneroom residence with an open loft. In between the two buildings? A pool. Eloueini, who stands confidently among the interior planking, pointing out places where built-in bookshelves will go, says, “This architecture represents its time.” It’s hard to imagine the J-House becoming an archetype for a New Orleans reimagined, if only because of the labor involved in its construction—not to mention those who don’t care for the design (among them, architect Rafael Moneo). But by persevering in its construction, Eloueini and AEDS have made a far more substantial contribution to the city, opening a dialogue around what can be done rather than what can’t.

Photography and renderings courtesy of AEDS Ammar Eloueini

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SHOPPING

Style emporium Women’s shopping deconstructeD

CAN O E

LOUIS VILLE, KY

by Nicole Grote Four years ago, when Lynn Seiller’s apartment began to overflow with goods that she had brought back from many visits to Turkey, she decided to share her treasures with other lovers of Mediterranean fabrics, jewelry, rugs, and home goods. Named for the owner’s love of adventure and always looking for what's around the bend, Canoe was born. Twice a year, Seiller travels to Turkey and parts of Central Asia to pick through piles of textiles, beads, and trinkets, unearthing beautiful pieces for Canoe. Walk into Canoe, and you are sure to find something to gawk at around every corner. You’ll have the help of Seiller’s two terriers at your feet as your shopping experience starts to feel more like time spent at a fabulously eccentric and chic friend’s place. Though Canoe’s selection is mostly beautiful rugs and home decor, Seiller also offers a private selection of beautiful jewelry and accessories for women. The patterns and color combinations go on for miles. Now, Seiller has many vendors in Turkey and Asia who watch out for the best products for Canoe. From pashminas to vintage-inspired earrings and clutches, there is something here for everyone to add to their wardrobes or home.

1201 Story Avenue, Louisville, KY

Photograph by Nicole Grote

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Photograph courtesy of Haven

HAVEN

FRANKLIN, TN

by Allie Jorrisch

Historic downtown Franklin is a hidden Tennessee treasure directly outside of Nashville’s hustle and bustle. Many country artists and celebrities who call Music City home reside in this quaint and charming town. In the center of Main Street rests Haven, a sanctuary of style. The ever-changing and country-chic window décor will draw you in instantly, and that’s only the beginning. Once you can get past the beautifully exposed brick and the aged, rustic hardwood floors of this pre-Civil War building, you will immediately want to hit the racks. Haven is every fashionista’s dream closet—filled with hippie couture tops and cocktail dresses, to shoes that just might change your life. A warm and welcoming environment is created by the store’s über-friendly staff, antique benches and elegant piano, which all come together to make this once-old grocery store a shopping heaven.

Born into a family of shop owners, Haven founder Claudia Robertson Fowler was destined to have a store to call her own. In 2006, after spending practically her entire life working in the fashion industry, Claudia unveiled her home and clothing boutique. Claudia, who has styled some of the biggest celebrities in country music, has a great eye for fashion, and her passion is clearly reflected in her store. Claudia and her knowledgeable staff are more than happy to help you narrow down your choices, because believe me, your dressing room will quickly fill up with options.

343 Main Street, Franklin, TN

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sPOTLIGHT

BEAUTY

the look

SYMMETRY JEWElRY

by Christy Levesque-Perron

The words “lady” and “tramp,” while commonly considered to be mutually exclusive, can indeed work together in perfect harmony, as the Spring 2012 runways showed us. Exaggerated 50s couture silhouettes, while not traditionally tailored, were presented at one show, while the next celebrated a looser flapper girl aesthetic. Subdued pastel ensembles were no less lauded than loud head-to-toe prints; ditto for midriff-baring tops and belted sportswear. Though the divide was a little more obvious in the styles of clothing designers chose to show, beauty trends were just as varied this season, but easier to mix and match.

by Richard Mathis

Vintage jewelry, also known as “estate” jewelry, are jewels obtained by an estate of living, deceased or private entities. Taking over the fashion world, Vintage Regalia is beloved and favored and is made in a variety of styles.

The slick, wet look for hair was especially prevalent (worn either from root to tip and loose, or half wet/half dry in a ponytail) and was often seen in conjunction with

another popular style, the middle part. Bobs cropped to the bottom of the ear and worn naturally, and angular baby bangs, were also frequently spotted. Babydoll lashes and cat-eye liner were seen at many runway shows, and are a perfect complement to to the fuller but more natural brushed-up brows that are in fashion this season. Though bold smoky eyes were popular as well, the tonal one-pot look was surprisingly more dramatic. Eyes, lips, cheeks, and even contouring was done in a single shade: often taupe or burnt sienna. Pretty pastel neutrals and color-blocked nails were the manicures of choice, but staying true to the lady/tramp rule of opposites, vampy blues and greens were on view as well.

the goods

From pendants to interlocking chains and pearls, long necklaces give just the right amount of glamour to any ensemble.

Symmetry Jewelry can recreate and personally design a one-ofa-kind vintage-inspired piece. It is evident that fashion repeats itself and that vintage wear will never go out of style!

8138 Hampson Street

1 Sally Hansen’s Nail Art Pen in Black: $10.00 2 Kiehl’s Clean Hold Styling Gel: $16.00 3 & 4 Fairy Drops Scandal Queen Mascara: $24.00

New Orleans, LA 70118

Photos courtesy of Symmetry

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SOCIETY

k i c k S TA R T E R

Creative Entrepreneurs Find Success with Funding Platform Kickstarter

SURREALIST FINE JEWELRY Kristy Lin (New York City, NY) Funding successful on June 20, 2011

by otylia FINLEY “Being able to provide jobs for skilled craftsmen and women is very important to me, as well. I want to create a workplace where weavers and knitters are paid and treated well for their skills,” she says.

Here’s a reason to pull out the drawing board, and bring to life that business plan that’s been buried in the to-do list for quite some time. With a success rate of 44% from its launch in 2008 through August of 2011, crowdfunding platform Kickstarter has paved the way as the world’s largest funding system for creative projects. The company has seen more than $125 million pledged toward Kickstarter project creators, who are organized into project categories such as fashion, music, film, art, technology, design, food, and publishing. Creators Perry Chen, Yancey Strickler and Charles Adler have found a way to allow young entrepreneurs and creative thinkers to test concepts and business models without risk, because of Kickstarter's allor-nothing funding policy. Project owners get to keep 100% ownership and control over their work. They choose their own deadlines and target minimums. Pledges are then collected through Amazon payments only if the campaign reaches its goal; if not, no money is exchanged. Kickstarter and Amazon take a small percentage, and project creators also offer incentives for pledges made. The bigger the pledge, the bigger the prize. So Kickstarter campaign donors get something for their money, in addition to the gratifying warmth of giving to a greater good: the arts. I spoke with a few successful Kickstarter project owners to learn about their experiences with the program, and to share some advice for those of you out there with worthy campaigns.

kickstarter.com

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Sharp stresses that an important element to APORTA is local sourcing of products and workmanship. “The textile industry is almost nonexistent in the U.S. I want to be a part of bringing that back. I believe there is a market for handmade textiles and garments; it’s not an easy business to be in, but that’s because consumers are used to getting things cheap and fast,” says Sharp. Sharp’s advice for future Kickstarter project creators:

APORTA Hand-Woven Knit Accessories Noelle Sharp (Chicago, IL) Funding successful on December 29, 2011 $2,180 pledged of $2,000 goal 46 backers

“To fund a successful Kickstarter, one needs to work on it every day, either through campaigning or sending updates. I have found that the shorter amount of time you pledge for is more beneficial in the end. And remember that a percentage is taken out of your total pledge, so figure that into your goal. “ –Noelle Sharp, APORTA

$10,015 pledged of $10,000 goal 63 backers

Lin’s advice for future Kickstarter project creators:

“It started with pony beads and daisy chains, and evolved to fashioning necklaces out of matchsticks and lemon slices. The junk pile was my haven, and I’ve been making jewelry ever since I could remember,” said designer Kristy Lin, who launched her own line of jewelry out of NYC in 2011. Thanks to her Kickstarter success, it is the first of many.

“The experience cemented my belief in the value of networking, and the idea that if you want to get what you want, you’ve got to leave timidity and embarrassment at the door. I emailed, I Facebooked, I messaged, I blogged, I Twittered, I texted, I talked.” –Kristy Lin, Surrealist Fine Jewelry

Lin describes her line as inspired by films, conceptual art and the human preoccupation with beauty. “What sets jewelry apart is its function of human adornment, naturally imbuing it with sentimentality. The common theme running through my jewelry is the art of storytelling. Each piece can either be imagined as a prop or an impetus of a story,” she says. For Lin, the art of making jewelry serves as an emotional journey. From sketch to reality, she can look at each finished piece and remember a particular time

COUNTER CULTURE VEGAN RESTAURANT Sue Davis (Austin, TX)

$13,200 pledged of $11,000 goal 195 backers When Sue Davis decided to open a vegan food trailer in 2009 in the middle of meat-lovin’ Texas, some wouldn’t have guessed that three years later, Kickstarter would help her to raise the funds necessary to move her breath-of-fresh-air food joint into a new, larger, and more permanent indoor location. But that’s how it went for Davis, who has since signed a lease in Central Austin, where her new vegan diner is undergoing a facelift, with plans to open in the spring of 2012.

“I would not be in business without Kickstarter,” says Sharp. “The main reason for my campaign was to acquire a loom, which I did. Two, actually—the other was kindly donated to me. “

Photography by Chris & Crystal Tate

We will have a jukebox that plays 45s, and we will grow veggies and herbs on our patio,” says Davis. Counter Culture serves only meatless, dairy-free and raw foods made from scratch. Davis also designs Counter Culture’s menu to minimize waste, with 95% of the restaurant’s waste being compostable and/or recyclable. “I’ve always been attracted to diners from the 20s to the early 70s. I love sitting at counters and watching people at work. Vegan food is still under a lot of people’s radar, so it works in that way as well,” says Davis.

Funding successful on February 1, 2012

Noelle Sharp credits her knitwear training, which began when she was six, to her mother. The little girl soon grew up to study in the fibers department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she also learned hand weaving and digital jacquard weaving. While still in school, Sharp brought a business plan to life in APORTA, hand-woven knit accessories she called her own.

Sharp’s goal for APORTA’s future is to have her own mill, which will allow her to produce not only garments, but fabrics.

in her life, and the mental and physical inspirations that engendered that piece. “Some people keep diaries, some people write songs, others draw,” said Lin. “I make jewelry.”

Davis’ vision for Counter Culture is inspired by a personal ethos that includes a desire to promote healthy living, a devotion to protecting the environment, a heartfelt concern for animal welfare, and a commitment to community participation. She believes that much of Counter Culture’s success is attributable to the growing number of people who not only crave delicious food, but also share these values. Davis’ advice for future Kickstarter project creators: “Look at other Kickstarter pages. See what has worked and hasn’t. Clearly state why you need the funds and what you will do with them. Have fun with it!” –Sue Davis, Counter Culture

“The new space is a retro, late 60sthemed diner with a bit of Deco thrown in. I kept the wood paneling and added aqua blue with a few splashes of orange.

Photography by Emma Batia Arnold Photography by Bert Meadows

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SHOPPING

AMERICAN s u mSpring mer

Stepping away from the sheer and pussy bows of the previous Spring season, the Spring 2012 catwalks boasted a higher level of sophistication. We saw a structured, oversized, masculine and slightly futuristic collection from Balenciaga; form-fitting, sublimely colored pieces and otherworldly ruffles for days from Alexander McQueen; and feminine meets working woman, all-over prints from Diane von Furstenberg. No matter the design house, a few transcending ideas showed up on nearly every runway. Silk was this season’s go-to fabric. Either color-blocked with bold blues and greens, or covered in mixed prints of abstract flowers, silk turned up in a big way for spring in summer. Oversized and boxy blazers and tops, and longer hemlines on shorts and skirts were also a favorite. We saw lots of whites in every hue and subtle nods to athleticism everywhere. Spring collections for 2012 evoked nostalgia for a very mod America. While it’s easy to admire designs sashayed down the runway, it’s not always easy to translate that into your personal style, so I’ve chosen a few failsafe pieces from some of my favorite American designers for your spring and summer wardrobes, available at Net-A-Porter.com. - LANA HUNT

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MICHAEL Michael Kors washed-silk track pants, $265

PUTTING A PRICE ON HISTORY The Debbie Reynolds Auction

by Banks Farley In "My Love Affair with Jewelry", film star Elizabeth Taylor refers to herself as the custodian of her unrivaled collection of jewels. Taylor asserts, “In truth, we ‘owners’ are just the caretakers...Nobody ever owns anything this beautiful. We are only the guardians.” This December, over a thousand of Elizabeth Taylor’s beautiful things, including furniture and film memorabilia, acquired new guardians after a four-day, record-setting auction at Christie’s in New York.

The Row Remson striped cashmere skirt, $950

Many of the auction items far surpassed their expected prices and found new homes with owners in over 36 different countries. But for the majority of Americans, unable to participate in such a highly priced event, Elizabeth Taylor

Paul & Joe Mariposa sequined mini dress, $2,895

Diane von Furstenberg Koemi printed stretch-silk dress, $425

Alice + Olivia Olsen striped stretch-silk playsuit, $295

Marilyn Monroe's Subway Dress in "The Seven Year Itch"

left behind something far different than a couture gown or priceless diamond. To these Americans, Taylor left behind a legacy, woven into the cultural fabric of American identity and accessible to all. Diane von Furstenberg Klee leather and neon sandals, $200

Haute Hippie Stretch-jersey maxi dress, $575

Ralph Lauren Collection Alannah suede sandals, $495

images courtesy of Net-A-Porter.com

She is one of an elite group of film stars who reside in the American consciousness as an icon: more than an actress, Taylor was a member of

Hollywood royalty who paralleled the celebrity of even the British monarchy. The costumes of such stars as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn often reach prices that far surpass famous dresses worn by the late Princess Diana. And

because of the American icons who wore them. And while the jockey outfit worn by Elizabeth Taylor when she first came to fame in "National Velvet" may never find its way into the home of an average American, we are still left with the legacy of her life and its achievements. And there remains no better way to celebrate Taylor’s legacy than through the films that made her famous. Contact Info: Profiles in History 26901 Agoura Road Suite 150

Charlie Chaplin's Bowler Hat

perhaps no one appreciated the value of such items better than private collector Debbie Reynolds, who held a similar twopart, record-breaking auction in June and December of 2011 through Californiabased auction house Profiles in History.

Calabasas Hills, CA 91301 Christie’s 20 Rockefeller Plaza Manhattan, NY 10020

Both the Elizabeth Taylor and Debbie Reynolds auctions were preceded by weeks of previews open to the public, in an effort to share the priceless items before they disappeared into the homes of private collectors. And Reynolds’ initial desire for her own enormous collection was to house it in a permanent museum so that all Americans could continue to enjoy the historical pieces. She began the collection with a focus on props and costumes from Oscar-winning films. “I felt I knew what a fan wanted to see,” Reynolds explains. However, the former actress struggled for decades to fund the project with no success. So in June of last year, costumes that once clothed famous figures like as Grace Kelly and Judy Garland found places in the hands of new collectors. Ultimately, these costumes command such high prices not as a result of Hollywood films made famous, but

Elizabeth Taylor's headdress from Cleopatra Photography courtesy of Nancy Seltzer & Associates, Inc.

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SOCIETY ART

IF THE SHOE FITS, THROW IT: THE VIEW FROM A MUSES GLITTERAGE by REBECCA MARSHBURN

Photography by Jeslyn Cash

Thousands of ebullient New Orleanians line the streets. Flags emblazoned with the letter “M” wave, and bedazzled signs populate the sidewalks. The crowd’s eager anticipation is palpable, its fanatical revelers gathering to watch one of Mardi Gras’ most beloved krewes parade through the streets of the city with one singular hope: obtaining an elusive glittering shoe. Responsible for the sparkling soles that have quickly become one of Mardi Gras’ most cherished collectibles is the allfemale Krewe of Muses. Produced with careful attention to detail and intense affection, Muses shoes are limited in supply and high in demand. To better understand the mythical status of the beguiling throw, Amelie G joined Creative Director and Chairwoman of Theme and Floats Virginia Saussy and two sister Muses at work in Saussy’s Glitterage. A “Glitterage,” as defined by a sign hanging near the entryway entitled “Glitterossary,” is a space “once used to store cars, converted for the primary purpose of glittering shoes.” Saussy’s is one of 32

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a handful of Glitterages throughout the city, and she estimates that together, they account for over 800 pounds of glitter in more than 60 colors. In the Glitterage, music plays, wine pours, and shoes are transformed from standard to spectacular. Occupying every available surface of the space are the treasured throws for which Muses has become so well-known. In every stage of creation—from naked leather to glammed-up glitter pump— the tinseled triumphs abound. Shoes congregate in bins, shoes hang from coat racks, shoes rest on shelves. Some shoes wait on tables, their first coats drying, while their counterparts go under the brush, taking a bath first in glue and then in glitter. From Manolo to Mossimo, sky-high stiletto to kitten heel, no shoe is too classy and none too crude to evade a Muses makeover. Asked where all the shoes come from, Saussy replies that they’re sourced “from anywhere and everywhere; some are thrift store finds, and some are donated,” while others are evidence of

her “own bad purchases.” Beyond the glitter, Muses is, at its core, “a sisterhood of celebration…whose greatest ambition is to outdo itself every year,” both on the parade route and through active philanthropy. This year, the krewe raised enough revenue to send over seventy young women battling breast cancer to the Young Survival Coalition’s annual support conference, combining benevolent pursuits with poignant social commentary. A Muses work remains unfinished until the krewe adds its signature sparkle—the whimsical final touch that lends the Glitterage its alluring atmosphere. With the same enchanting blend of seriousness and playfulness, Saussy considers me for a moment. “I love Muses,” she says. “I will tell you this: our goal is, and always will be, to inspire young women of the city to perpetuate what we’ve started.” Then, just as seriously, she considers my empty glass for a moment, and the rest of the evening begins with a simple decree: “She needs more wine.” WWW.A M E LI EG M AG .C O M 33

Spotlight

THE OCCASIONAL WIFE: An Organized Spring by The Wives

Spring is synonymous with sunshine, amazing weather, and in the South, festival season. It seems as though every weekend in the spring, we are hopping on the streetcar en route to the French Quarter or Fairgrounds for outdoor revelry and unbeatable live music. At The Occasional Wife, we love this time of year, and make sure that we are always prepared for an impromptu backyard bash and long festival afternoons. Here are some of our favorite tips for staying organized during spring celebrations. Get Plugged In It’s not 1969 and we are not at Woodstock. Your smartphone can be your best friend, or your worst enemy if not prepared. Download all apps pertaining to your event prior to arriving. Event apps will provide rules, lineups, and maps to make your experience more enjoyable. Make sure you are fully charged, and have a backup battery handy. We also recommend jotting down a few important numbers just in case you snap one too many Instagrams and your battery dies…not every fest has a flagpole!

Ready Your Home You know you’ll come home at least once this season with muddy shoes, wet clothes and a few extra friends. Keep a receptacle right inside the front door to catch all your castoffs so they don’t end up strewn across the house. Make sure the fridge is packed with beverages and a few snacks. If you stick to these tips, your festival season will go off without a hitch! Thanks for putting a little “Wife” in your life; we love sharing our organizing secrets with you! Credits: Makeup: Make Me Up Hair: Albert Brown Salon theoccasionalwife.com

Make a Schedule Although the season is just starting, every event has been scheduled for months. Break out your calendar and transfer party/festival dates to your own schedule. Mark your “must-see” artists or attractions so you don’t have to waste time wandering around finding what you are looking for.

Photography by Andrew Alwert

Pack a Bag

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No matter what size or shape, you should always have your “Fest Pack” ready to go. Our bags are armed with sunscreen, hand sanitizer, rain ponchos, plastic bags (H2O protectors), extra cell phone batteries, and that one bottle of water that’s allowed through the gate. A perfect pack even has room for art and souvenirs you may pick up along the way. (Extra credit if you can score one of those backpack/cooler combos!)

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STRUCTURE

Photograph by Rhianon Jones

Photograph by Tristan Scott

POP-UP BOUTIQUE:

E . P. I .C . WIN The Echo Park Independent Co-op: Changing the World One Rack at a Time by Diana Siegel

Fashion in Los Angeles has long been associated with an oxymoronic celebration of both excess and absence. For most of the aughts, Angeleno style was defined by exorbitantly priced micromini dresses, bro-tastic bedazzled T-shirts, and rodent-sized pedigree dogs that cost almost as much as the Louis Vuitton purses that cradled them. But times change. Paying hard-earned money to look like everybody else seems wasteful in our current economic climate. More and more, a mentality of individual expression, creativity, and global consciousness is replacing the “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality that previously dominated the Los Angeles fashion scene. At the forefront of this new age of fashion is E.P.I.C.—the Echo Park Independent Co-op. Located on the humbler east side of famed Sunset Boulevard among thrift stores, vegan restaurants, dive bars, and taco stands, E.P.I.C. provides a space for Los Angeles-based designers to showcase and sell their unique collections 36

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to a creative and forward-thinking clientele. Racks upon racks of locally designed clothing fill the bright, airy, high-ceilinged space. Each rack belongs to a different designer, who, according to owner Rhianon Jones, is given “full artistic license” over the pieces he or she displays. The result is mutually beneficial: independent designers gain exposure and experience creating lines, while the store promotes its ideals of fashion independence and sustainable practices. Any Los Angeles designer can submit his or her work to the store, provided he or she “takes into account the impact materials make on the environment.” All featured brands source their materials in the United States, and many incorporate eco-conscious practices into their lines, whether re-working vintage clothing, like brand Luxury Jones; selecting organic fabrics, like Daughters of the Revolution and Ism Mode; or sourcing recycled, non-chemically tanned leather, like avant-garde leather house Skingraft. And while these brands tend toward an unconventional approach to fashion, the

clothes they create are comfortable and highly wearable for those looking to stand out from the crowd. This is not a store for the meek, but rather a one-stop wonderland for indie bands, stylists, and risk-takers of all professions. E.P.I.C. is also a huge proponent of the pop-up movement, having hosted events for fresh brands like Howl by Keyla Marquez and cult-chic fashion collective The Coven. Jones also plans to expand eastward, and is currently scouting locations for an E.P.I.C. popup event in New York City. In her commitment to promoting highly creative, ecologically conscious brands, Rhianon may the one Jones with whom fashion individualists should keep up. Her store’s grassroots approach proves that one doesn’t have to look to Parisian design houses or compromise moral integrity to get high-end, trendsetting style. With its passion for supporting local designers and promoting morally sound manufacturing, E.P.I.C. is at the forefront of a larger movement—one that is changing fashion in Los Angeles and the world for the better.

Echo Park Independent Co-op 1712 W Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026 (213) 483-0260 shopepicla.com Brands mentioned: luxuryjones.com daughtersrevolution.com www.ismmode.com skingraftdesigns.com howlclothing.com covenconstruction.com

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ART

5 cities 5 art destinations

Photograph by John Linden

CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM | RALEIGH, NC Raleigh is in the midst of a sustainability-inspired renaissance, with a bevy of restoration projects underway in the heart of the warehouse district (known also as the Depot District to some locals and history buffs). Turning the old Allen Forge & Welding building into a modern, dramatic work of art, while keeping many of the original space’s urban, gritty details -- like loading bay and lunette window, and even metal trusses -- intact was the perfect way for the Contemporary Art Museum to show its solidarity with the past while presenting only the newest emerging artists. At the old loading dock now sits the epitome of front porches: a surprisingly welcoming space underneath a mind-bending foldedpanel roof. This IS still the South, you know.

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Born Digital (January 28 - April 30)

Featuring 12 pioneering artists and designers from around the world (some making their U.S. premieres), this exhibition requires that the audience commit a typical museum no-no: get physical with the art. Through interactive video and similar technologies, the artworks “see” and respond to colors, shapes, and movement; so, the bigger your curiosity, the better the exhibition. Hello, future.

Photograph by Adam Reich

THE STUDIO MUSEUM IN HARLEM | NEW YORK, NY Located in the old New York Bank for Savings, the 60,000-squarefoot Studio Museum in Harlem embodies the multifaceted cultural gem that is the Harlem neighborhood through the presentation of dynamic visual artworks by artists of African descent from New York and across the globe. Works displayed as a result of its prolific and generous artist-in-residence program or from the museum's deep and significant permanent collection (from Sister Gertrude Morgan to Benny Andrews to Kara Walker to Trenton Doyle Hancock) offer varying versions of black culture that at times contradict and at times harmonize, but always provoke.

CHECK OUT

Who, What, Wear: Selections from the Permanent Collection (currently on view until May 27)

Choosing to eschew a strictly historical lens, this group exhibition instead focuses on how artists and subjects from the Harlem community and beyond choose to present themselves, reflecting how diverse, intertwined, and fluctuating ideals of beauty and modernity are perceived in an ever-changing, impressionable world. With societal influences from street style to traditional dress, and culture cues from jewelry to cars, this exhibition encourages you to refuse to play along with any singular notion of what fashion “looks like.”

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ART

Photograph courtesy of The Mattress Factory

Rendering courtesy of Shigeru Ban Architects and the Aspen Art Museum

THE MATTRESS FACTORY | PITTSBURGH, PA

ASPEN ART MUSEUM | ASPEN, CO

The Mattress Factory is unlike most contemporary art museums in that it presents experimental site-specific installations created by in-residence artists in basically room-sized environments. In an ongoing effort to revitalize Pittsburgh’s North Side, the museum’s uncommon galleries occupy reused buildings on the historic Mexican War Streets. The Mattress Factory broke ground on its third gallery space at 516 Sampsonia Way in November 2011. Instead of gutting and completely altering the abandoned Victorian-era building, the museum will follow its own tradition of preservation and leave all of the existing decorative elements intact (think original doors, woodworking, and multiple layers of wallpaper) as inspiration for the artists who will come to create work inside of the spaces.

Despite some early controversy, the Aspen Art Museum commenced construction of its new site in downtown Aspen in August 2011. The new 30,000-square-foot building will be the first U.S. museum designed by the Tokyo-based architect Shigeru Ban, and will include “walkable” skylights, mobile staircase pedestals, and a “moving room” glass elevator, among other ultramodern details. The facility will also include “a woven exterior screen and roof structure that will allow the building to remain a transparent facility,” meaning that Aspen’s picturesque scenery and landscape will always be on view.

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CHECK OUT

Factory Installed (currently on view until May 1)

From almost 600 artist submissions, Pablo Valbuena, Mariana Manhães, Natalia González, Nika Kupyrova,Than Htay Maung, and Veronica Ryan were chosen to create new works while in residence, and were inspired and challenged by the spaces their artworks were to occupy. Just how well do these individual, site-specific works by artists from Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, Bolivia, Ukraine, Burma, and West Indies/England, respectively, perform together? You be the judge.

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Mark Grotjahn | A Survey from the 1990s to Now

and Aspen Skiing Company Lift Ticket Project (February 17 - April 29)

Coinciding with the first broad survey of his artwork at the Aspen Art Museum, California-based abstract artist Mark Grotjahn designed five limited-edition lift tickets featuring images of his sculptures for the 2011–2012 Aspen ski season. Four of these sculptures can actually be seen on each of Aspen Mountain Company’s four peaks, with the fifth on view in the exhibition at the museum. So, for roughly $200, you can spend 2 days simultaneously carving powder while appreciating the views, both man- and nature-made. Then you can frame your lift ticket when you get home. Whoever said that sports and the arts don’t mix has never been to Aspen. WWW.A M E LI EG M AG .C O M 41

The Social Arbiter

SOCIETY by Craig Libman

Artwork by Ali Mills

Photograph courtesy of Vancouver Art Gallery

VANCOUVER ART GALLERY | VANCOUVER, B.C. When many people think of Canadian art, they think of the beloved painter Emily Carr; but since the 1980s or so, über-progressive Vancouver has also become well-known for the informal “Vancouver School” of photo-conceptualism. And while the Vancouver Art Gallery does have the largest collection of Carr’s work, it also has one of the most significant international photo-based collections in North America, with works by famous Canadians like Jeff Wall and Roy Arden, as well as global heavyweights like German Andreas Gursky and American Cindy Sherman. In fact, the gallery’s collection has been steadily increasing by several hundred works every year since 1931, to the point where now it is bursting at the seams with amazing art and needs a larger home.

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Beat Nation: Art, Hip Hop, and Aboriginal Culture (February 25 - June 3)

What do you get when you entwine youth culture with Aboriginal identity? Artistic amalgams of storytelling, dance, language, music, fashion, and politics: “graffiti murals with Haida figures, sculptures carved out of skateboard decks, abstract paintings with formline design, live video remixes with Hollywood films, and hip-hop performances in Aboriginal languages.” The list goes on, featuring artists from across the Americas, to prove that regardless of origin, Aboriginal culture and activism is alive.

The modern miracles of Botox, hair dye and plastic surgery may help us look years younger, but we have yet to find a way to live forever. Try as we might, our end is inevitable, making thoughts about death particularly unsettling. Each time someone we know passes, we are reminded of our mortality, which creates uncomfortable feelings. During these difficult times, we must put our hang-ups about death aside and rise to the occasion. Whether commemorating the life of a friend, coworker, or associate, your actions during a period of bereavement should comfort mourners and respect the precious life that has just passed. While faux pas at weddings can be overlooked amid the ecstasy of love and champagne, a social blunder in the house of mourning can have devastating effects. Upon learning of someone’s passing, be sure to devise a plan of action for paying your respects. Mourning a loss is a personal matter that may be handled in several ways. Here are some thoughts to help you when a friend or acquaintance passes away. For those out of your social milieu, a condolence card is often the best form of expressing sympathy. Even close friends and family will find much comfort

in a well-written letter. Regardless of stationery, handwritten notes say it best, particularly if sent before the funeral. Emails may be acceptable if they are thoughtfully written and sincere, while Twitter tweets and Facebook posts are tactlessly jejune. Tastefully selected flowers can be sent to the funeral home or residence of a colleague, teacher, or boss, but may seem too baroque a gesture if sent to friends. Also, note that some families ask for donations to a charity in lieu of flowers. Donations of $25 or less express how much you care without appearing too lavish. Casseroles, cakes, and cookies will be much appreciated by families receiving guests at home, but avoid Edible Arrangements, which look cute and taste positively awful. Coworkers or groups of friends may also chip in to buy meals for the mourning family, but be sure to consult with someone on the inside to make sure that dinner hasn’t already been provided for a particular evening. Funerary etiquette often depends upon one’s culture and religious faith. Christians tend to receive mourners from 2-4 P.M. and 7-9 P.M. at the funeral home, with some traditions providing a wake

to receive mourners the day before the funeral. While African-American families follow a wide variety of customs, many host funerals at church that celebrate the lives of family members with Southern traditions. In Jewish funerals, closer family and friends attend the funeral, while family, friends and less intimate acquaintances alike pay their respects at a shiva, a gathering at a family member’s house in the nights following a funeral. Islamic mourners also receive guests at home, and many Asian cultures give small gifts of sweets or cloth to mourners at the funeral. These examples demonstrate that, when attending services of someone from a different culture, it pays to do your homework in order to be sensitive to the families’ funerary customs. A friend or acquaintance’s passing can be difficult to navigate, particularly if thoughts of death seem overwhelming. During these trying times, your friend or acquaintance needs your support and, in many cases, expects it. When in doubt over what to do, don’t hesitate to call the funeral home, which may have instructions as to the family’s wishes. They may seem odd for their choice of profession, but this is one case where funeral directors really know best.

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Cacharel silk pucker dress with full a-line pleated skirt, $750. Marni resin horn profiled necklace, $500. Marni geometric hand bag, $820. All available Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour.

Je suis UNE femme fatale PHOTO / Ana Coello MODEL / Sara Smith (5th Avenue-BCN) MAKEUP, HAIR & NAILS / J煤nior Queir贸s with Rituals CosmEtics & Twin Color DIGITAL EDITING / Pablo Sagredo Pinko dress; Adele Cany glasses as a bow-tie

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Andrés Sardá lace bra as a mask; Swarovski necklace

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Pinko top; Otazu necklace

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Juan Antonio Avalos harness; Otazu necklace

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Belt as a whip: Guess by Marciano

Thomas Sabo skull rings; Swarovski crystal rings

FASHION

STOP MOTION:

THE RUNAWAY BRIDE Photography by Alicia Claire, Makeup by Chris Shirley, Hair by Salon 937, Gown by Yvonne LaFleur. Locations: St. Louis Cathedral, Ritaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tequila House, Maison St. Charles

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AMERICA PRESENTS: LIFE

ART

Photo essay by m.l. benson

www.martinlbenson.com

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Mid-City: The Bean Gallery 637 N. Carrollton Ave. New Orleans, LA 70119 Hours: Sunday-Thursday 6:30am-midnight Friday-Saturday 6:30am-9pm Best Bet: 24-hour Cold-Brew Iced Coffee & a Vegan Pumpkin Muffin In my hunt for the best mobile workplaces, the Bean Gallery in Mid-City felt the most like home, even though it’s far from it in reality. Maybe it’s the big couches, the worn-in leather chairs, the large group study tables, which could host a family meal, or the original fireplace from 1905 that has been painted bright red and houses local flyers, but there’s something about the place that just makes you want to kick your feet up, and feel like you are allowed to. The space is small and a bit crammed when busy, but still manages to be inviting. It’s probably the caffeine in the 24-hour cold-drip iced coffee that has customers working on projects so diligently, but I like to think it has something to do with the camaraderie of working in such close quarters. It’s not uncommon here for strangers to share a couch over their lattes, nor for a local knitting group of 8-10 ladies to set up shop once a week, as owner Charlie Ergen relates.

Photography by Otylia Finley

THE MOBILE WORKPLACE

NEW ORLEANS

Our picks for the best spots for freelancers, entrepreneurs and students to get their work done in st yle.

The Bean Gallery offers free WiFi with any purchase, as well as an art gallery featuring mostly local artists. They update the displayed work monthly with no charge for artists, and take no commission from sales. The artwork is purely there for customer enjoyment and inspiration. The Bean Gallery also houses a book exchange where customers can practice a “take one, leave one” policy on a large wooden bookcase built into the counter. Talk about homey. So come with a project or pick out a read from the book exchange, and you’ll find yourself joined by students, young professionals, professors, lawyers, and LSU dental students, who, in a neighborly mood, may be willing to share some stainfighting advice for the future.

By OTYLIA FINLEY In the land of the Big Easy, you rarely find your plate half-full. As a mobile worker myself, I know the impact that a change of scenery, not to mention a steaming hot cup of joe, can have on productivity. Throw in a protein-rich panini, and you have a recipe for focus and success. While working out of the comfort of your own slippers is something to be cherished on Sunday mornings, I’ve narrowed down some unconventional offices throughout New Orleans for you New Age networkers, which make it a bit easier to get out of bed and out the door any day of the week.

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Garden District: Still Perkin’ 2727 Prytania St., New Orleans, LA 70115 Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-6pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 8am-5pm Best Bet: Southern Pecan Cold-Drip Iced Coffee & Gingerbread

Uptown: Rue De La Course 1140 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118

Tucked away in the enchanting and historic Garden District neighborhood, just a block from the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, exists a true New Orleans treasure: Still Perkin’ Coffee Shop. With generous hours, this quaint, independently owned café offers free WiFi (no password necessary), fair-trade coffees and teas, stained glass by local artists, and a large open seating area which fills with light from all angles for most of the day. There are plenty of tables, large and small, and a sea of beautiful wicker long-back chairs. There is also a large patio filled with iron tables and chairs overlooking Lafayette Cemetery across Prytania Street. The real all-star here is the cold-drip iced coffee, and with flavors like “Southern Pecan,” the locals, who include Archie Manning, Ann Rice and Sandra Bullock, will tell you no differently. Don’t be afraid to indulge in some gingerbread for breakfast. It’s so moist, it’ll pass the DQ-upside-down-Blizzard trick and stick to your plate. Arrive at the end of the morning rush, and you might mistake the abundant flow of caffeine-craving Commander’s Palace waitstaff for an army of crazed penguins. They, however, are harmless. There’s also a fair number of Garden District walking tours throughout the day whose attendees stop in to hydrate, and an after-school rush in the late afternoon.

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Hours: Open seven days, 7am-11pm Best Bet: Espresso & a Salad For the fashionable mobile worker, a certain degree of ambiance is always appreciated, usually inspiring, and never hard to find in New Orleans. Look no further than Rue de la Course in the Riverbend area.

joined by old and young visitors. Tulane and Loyola students discover a new approach to library life here, as well as Oak Street locals who practice a laid-back approach to lunch and learning.

The coffee shop offers pastries, desserts, sandwiches, salads and a soup of the day, all prepared in-house, in addition to local coffees and teas. Enjoy any of these as you take note of the high ceilings, intricate historic molding, and two huge iron light fixtures, all the elements of this bank turned coffee house. Bring your eyes down a few levels to discover the beautifully stained wooden pastry display and counter, and you’ll start to realize that Rue de la Course has an attitude about it. The place itself exerts a sense of coolness and edge that seems to seep out from the cracks in the old walls and exist only within them. With lots of large and small wooden furniture sprinkled about the open floor plan, you can settle in here any time of day to be

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Anne

Bishton

Anne Bishton was born in Sidney Australia. Her family moved in New York in the late 60’s. She attended Brown University where she received a BA in Classics and Ancient Art History. After Brown, attended FIT in New York and was trained in fashion design, illustration, and drawing. For most of the 80’s she worked as an assistant for several fashion designers. In the 90’s, after purchasing a restaurant located in the East Village she began designing a new line of bistro interior that would later be featured in Vogue and New York Magazine. Commissions from private clients quickly followed and interior design supplanted fashion design as a passion and vocation. In 2000 she knew change was needed after twenty five years in New York and chose New Orleans. New Orleans was a perfect place to relocated because of it’s beautiful architecture and rich history. Anne Bishton Design was born, now located at 8519 Oak Street in New Orleans in a bright yellow traditional “shotgun” house. Specializing in design, cutting, and manufacturing custom cut and commercial stencils for the professional designer, architect, painter, and even the non professional home user. Services available in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas. 8519 Oak Street . New Orleans, LA 70118 . 504.304.3376

by Christina DiLeo Photography by Brooke Caillouette

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